Friday, July 4, 2008

HFF Arranges $23.53M Construction Loan for Class A Office Development in The Woodlands, TX

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) has arranged a $23.53 million construction loan for a speculative Class A, 180,000-square-foot office development in The Woodlands, Texas. (top left photo)

Working exclusively on behalf of Stream Realty Partners, L.P. HFF’s Matt Kafka (middle right photo) and Adam Jackson placed the non-recourse construction loan with Wachovia Bank, N.A. Stream Realty Partners, L.P. is a full-service real estate investment, development and services company that currently leases and/or manages more than 45 million square feet of commercial and residential buildings in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth and Austin, Texas.

Situated on 35.5 acres at 1601 Sawdust Road, the development site is within The Woodlands master planned community north of Houston via Interstate 45. The property, which will be called Sierra Pines, is due for completion in January 2009 and is the first phase of a three-building, 540,000-square-foot office development.

“This was a rare opportunity to provide financing for a projected located inside The Woodlands city limits, which has extremely high barriers to entry. Development has been strictly regulated by The Woodlands Development Company, essentially eliminating outside competition from other developers,” said Jackson.

“In addition, sites not controlled by The Woodlands Development Company typically do not have access to utilities; however Stream was able to negotiate an annexation and utility development agreement for the site.”

“Stream is receiving a lot of interest at the $18 NNN asking rate,” added Kafka.

HFF (NYSE: HF) operates out of 18 offices nationwide and is a leading provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services to the U.S. commercial real estate industry. HFF offers clients a fully integrated national capital markets platform including debt placement, investment sales, structured finance, private equity, note sales and note sale advisory services and commercial loan servicing.

CONTACTS:

Matthew Kafka, HFF Associate Director, 713 852 3500, mkafka@hfflp.com

Laurie Fish McDowell, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, 617 338 0990, lmcdowell@hfflp.com

Arbor Closes $7.28M Fannie Mae DUS® Loan on Park Greenwood Apartments in Greenwood, IN


UNIONDALE, NY--Arbor Commercial Funding, LLC (“Arbor”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC, has funded a $7,280,000 loan under the Fannie Mae DUS® product line to refinance the 192-unit complex known as Park Greenwood Apartments in Greenwood, IN.

The 10-year loan amortizes on a 30-year schedule and carries a note rate of 5.99 percent.

The loan was originated by Alex Kaushansky, (top right photo) Director, in Arbor’s full-service New York City lending office. “The loan was provided for an experienced operator who needed competitive financing after stabilization,” said Kaushansky.

CONTACT:

Ingrid Principe, Tel: (516) 506-4298, Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. 333 Earle Ovington Blvd, Suite 900, Uniondale, NY 11553.

HFF Named to Market Sale of Pittsburgh Class A Office Portfolio



PITTSBURGH, PA – The Pittsburgh, Chicago and New York offices of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) have been named to market for sale a new Class A office building portfolio consisting of approximately 453,000 square feet located in Cranberry, Pennsylvania.

The HFF investment sales team will be led by executive managing director John Pelusi, (top right photo) senior managing director Gerard Sansosti (top left photo)and managing director Nick Matt (middle left photo) in the Pittsburgh office, as well as managing director Jaime Fink (bottom right photo) in HFF’s Chicago office and senior managing director Glenn Whitmore (bottom right photo above Jaime Fink photo) in the New York office. The portfolio will be listed for sale without a formal asking price.

This four-building 100% leased Class A office portfolio has a strong roster of credit tenants such as Westinghouse Electric, Cellco (Verizon) and McKesson and is located within the Cranberry Woods Office Park, (above centered photo) which is generally thought of as the premier suburban office park in Western Pennsylvania.

The Cranberry Woods Office Park is also the home of the world headquarters of Mine Safety Appliance and, following a national search, was recently selected as the site where Westinghouse Electric will build its new nearly one million-square-foot world headquarters.

“This is a major sale opportunity for HFF as Cranberry Woods is the one of the best suburban office parks in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Pelusi.

“The Wall Street Journal and Money Magazine have ranked Cranberry one of the fastest growing communities in the U.S.,” added Sansosti.

HFF (NYSE: HF) operates out of 18 offices nationwide and is a leading provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services to the U.S. commercial real estate industry. HFF offers clients a fully integrated national capital markets platform including debt placement, investment sales, structured finance, private equity, note sales and note sale advisory services and commercial loan servicing.

CONTACTS:

John H. Pelusi,
HFF Executive Managing Director
412 281 8714

Gerard T. Sansosti
HFF Senior Managing Director
412 281 8714

Laurie Fish McDowell
HFF Associate Director, Marketing
617 338 0990

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Amdocs Inc. Renews 10,000-SF Lease in Dulles, VA

WASHINGTON, DC - (July 3, 2008) - GVA Advantis, along with GVA Williams of New York, are proud to announce that Amdocs, Inc. has signed a lease renewal for 10,000 square feet at 45365 Vintage Park Plaza (top right photo) in Dulles, VA.

Jack Regler, associate, of the Washington, DC office of GVA Advantis, and Richard Charkham, managing director, of the New York City office of GVA Williams, both members of the GVA Worldwide partnership, represented Amdocs, Inc. in the transaction.

The landlord, Lerner Enterprises, was represented by Jeffrey Diamond of Diamond Property Company.

A publicly traded company (NYSE: DOX), Amdocs, Inc. is a leader in customer service experience systems innovation. The company had a revenue of $2.84 billion in 2007, and has a workforce of more than 16,000 professionals in more than 50 countries.

GVA Worldwide is an international organization of real estate industry leaders serving key markets in 20 countries. The organization comprises more than 3,500 real estate professionals in 90 markets worldwide.
In 2006, GVA Worldwide partners collectively completed $26.5 billion in transactions and managed more than 150 million square feet of office, industrial, retail and specialized property. For more information, visit http://www.gvaworldwide.com/

Media Contact: Tonya,Ginter, 703.790.2127 tginter@gvaadvantis.com
GVA Advantis, 1747 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006 http://www.gvaadvantis.com/.

HFF Arranges $33.34M recapitalization for Two Inland Empire Multifamily Communities

IRVINE, CA – The Orange County office of HFF (Holliday Fenoglio Fowler, L.P.) has arranged recapitalizations totaling $33.34 million for two multifamily communities in California’s Inland Empire, Sunscape Apartment Homes (top right photo) in Alta Loma and Linden Court Townhomes (top left photo) in Rialto.

Working on behalf of Lewis Operating Corp., HFF senior managing director Don Curtis (middle right photo) placed two 5.75% fixed-rate loans with a confidential agency. A $16.89 million loan was secured for Sunscape and a $16.45 million loan was arranged for Linden Court.

Sunscape Apartment Homes has 172 one- and two-bedroom units averaging 806 square feet each. Select two-bedroom units have attached one-car garages and additional garages are available for rent.

On-site amenities include a pool and spa, fitness center, playground, lounge and tennis courts.

The 97% occupied property is located at 8840 19th Street adjacent to a Von’s anchored retail center close to the 210 Freeway in Alta Loma.

Linden Court Townhomes are located at 372 South Ironwood convenient to the 10 and 210 Freeways in Rialto. The property offers 180 two- and three-bedroom townhomes averaging 1,084 square feet each. Units feature washer/dryers, private patios and direct access one- and two-car garages.

“The Inland Empire apartment market continues to maintain vacancies in the 5% range and rents have been increasing at a robust pace,” said Curtis.


The Lewis Group of Companies was founded in 1955 and has developed into the dominant player in Southern California’s Inland Empire real estate market.

HFF (NYSE: HF) operates out of 18 offices nationwide and is a leading provider of commercial real estate and capital markets services to the U.S. commercial real estate industry.
HFF offers clients a fully integrated national capital markets platform including debt placement, investment sales, structured finance, private equity, note sales and note sale advisory services and commercial loan servicing.

CONTACTS:
Donald J. Curtis, HFF Senior Managing Director, 949 253 8800, dcurtis@hfflp.com
Laurie Fish McDowell, HFF Associate Director, Marketing, 617 338 0990, lmcdowell@hfflp.com

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts to Enter Turks and Caicos Market



PARSIPPANY, N.J. -– Wyndham Hotels and Resorts today announced it will expand its Caribbean portfolio into the Turks and Caicos Islands with the development of a luxury 251-unit oceanfront resort at Pirate's Bay on the west coast of Grand Turk Island (above photo).

The Wyndham® Cacique Royale Beach Resort (photo at left) is being developed in two phases by Prestigious Properties Ltd., the largest real estate brokerage firm in the Turks and Caicos, and will be managed by Wyndham Hotel Management Inc.

Cacique Royale is the Lucayan Indian term for Royal King, chosen for the hotel’s name as a tribute to the island’s natives. The resort’s individual buildings also will receive Lucayan names including Baqua Cottages, which translates as Sea Cottages, and Nanichi Spa, which means My Heart Spa.

Construction is under way on both Phase I and Phase II of the project. Phase I is expected to be available for occupancy during the first quarter of next year.

The resort will feature oceanfront beach cottages and suites located in 14 low-rise buildings situated throughout the resort’s Caribbean landscaping.

Deluxe studio and one bedroom suites will be offered. Amenities will include two swimming pools; tennis courts; spa and fitness center; boutique; minimarket; and a full-service restaurant and bar. Guests also will be able to book diving and water sports activities through the resort.


The resort is expected to attract diving enthusiasts eager to explore Grand Turk’s barrier reef system, the third largest in the world, as well as history buffs interested in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“The Wyndham Cacique Royale Beach Resort will enhance the Wyndham brand’s strong position in the Caribbean, promote tourism and introduce thousands of travelers to this wonderful, unspoiled island,” said Peter Strebel, (top right photo) Wyndham Hotels and Resorts president.


“Grand Turk excels in providing beautiful beaches, a historic Caribbean lifestyle and exciting recreational activities including some of the top-rated dive destinations in the world.”

The Wyndham Cacique Royale Beach Resort will become the Wyndham brand’s 25th facility in the Caribbean and Mexico.

C. Washington Misick, (middle left photo) Prestigious Properties chairman and chief executive officer and former chief minister of the Turks and Caicos, said, “We are excited to bring such a tremendous hotel brand into the Turks and Caicos Islands in terms of its presence in the marketplace.

"The completion of this commercial venture has been a long-held dream of mine that will contribute to the economy of Grand Turk with new employment and tourism opportunities.”

Strebel credited Misick and his family for working with the island’s leaders to create a major economic asset. “This is a classic example of a successful family giving back to their community,” he said.

The Turks and Caicos Islands, an increasingly popular Carribbean destination, are located just south of the Bahamas and about 500 miles south of Miami.

For more information on Wyndham Cacique Royale Beach Resort, call (649) 946-4379 or visit http://www.wyndhamcaciqueroyale.com/
(Map of major diving locations is at left.)

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), offers upscale hotel and resort accommodations throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico and the Caribbean.


All hotels are either franchised or managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts or an affiliate. Additional information is available at http://www.wyndhamworldwide.com/.

CONTACT: Evy Apostolatos, Director, Media Relations, Wyndham Hotel Group, 1 Sylvan Way, Parsippany NJ 07054 (973) 753-6590
evy.apostolatos@wyndhamworldwide.com

For more information about Wyndham Worldwide Corporation and its businesses, go to http://www.wyndhamworldwide.com/.

RealtyTrac Partners With Coldwell Banker Platinum Properties to Provide Foreclosure Data and Lead Capture Solutions

IRVINE, CA– RealtyTrac™ (www.realtytrac.com), the leading online marketplace for foreclosure properties, and Coldwell Banker Platinum Properties (www.cbplatinumproperties.com), a leading real estate brokerage in Orange County, recently announced a new agreement and strategic partnership that will allow Coldwell Banker agents and their clients to have real-time access to RealtyTrac’s nationwide foreclosure database of default, auction and bank-owned properties.

“This is an exciting partnership between Coldwell Banker Platinum Properties and RealtyTrac,” said Rick Sharga, (middle left photo) vice president of marketing at RealtyTrac.

“Agents and brokers at Coldwell Banker Platinum Properties will have access to real-time data directly from RealtyTrac’s nationwide foreclosure database, and users of Coldwell’s website will also be able to access distressed properties, including properties in pre-foreclosure, auction or bank-owned properties. That in turn will help drive more traffic and leads to the agent websites.”

With real estate in a downturn in most markets nationwide, foreclosures continue to grow. During 2007, there were more than 2.2 million foreclosure filings — default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions — reported on nearly 1.3 million properties nationwide, a 75 percent increase in total filings from 2006. Foreclosure activity increased 112 percent in the first quarter of 2008, according to the RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.

“We are delighted to integrate RealtyTrac’s database into the Coldwell Banker Platinum Properties’ website,” said Richard Moore, (top right photo) president and broker-owner of Coldwell Banker Platinum Properties. “We are always looking to enhance our services, and the addition of an industry-leading partner like RealtyTrac certainly meets with this goal. Both Coldwell Banker and RealtyTrac are well positioned to take advantage of the ever-changing real estate market.”

Contact: Tammy Chan, Atomic PR, 415-402-0230, tammy@atomicpr.com

Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors Acquires 3100 River Exchange in Sandy Springs, Ga.

SANTA ANA, CA/PRNewswire/ -- Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, LLC has acquired 3100 River Exchange, (top left photo) a 222-unit multifamily community, in the Atlanta suburb of Sandy Springs, Ga., on behalf of tenant-in-common investors.

Built in 1997 on nearly 23 acres, the approximately 227,000-square-foot property consists of nine three-story buildings and a two-story residential office and clubhouse.

3100 River Exchange offers a spacious average unit size of 1,021 square feet with walk-in closets, private balconies or sunrooms, full-size washers and dryers and fully-equipped kitchens with breakfast bars.

There are various community amenities on-site, including controlled access gates, a car care center, a swimming pool and a fitness center.

3100 River Exchange is 96 percent leased and offers 358 parking spaces and 40 single car garages.

"3100 River Exchange is an outstanding multifamily asset in an incredibly strong apartment market where we believe we can maintain a high occupancy rate," said Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors President and Chief Investment Officer Jeff Hanson.(top right photo) "This asset should provide a stable cash flow to our tenant-in-common investors."
The Sandy Springs -- Dunwoody submarket is one of the strongest apartment markets in the Atlanta -- Sandy Springs -- Marietta metropolitan statistical area. According to REIS, with an inventory of approximately 23,227 units at year end 2007, the area has one of the lowest vacancy rates in Atlanta -- 6.8 percent compared to 8.0 percent for the MSA.

(Sandy Springs skyline at right)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Atlanta -- Sandy Springs -- Marietta MSA is estimated to be the ninth largest metropolitan area in the country as of July 1, 2007, with a population of approximately 5.3 million.Sandy Springs is situated in one of Atlanta's most affluent submarkets, near the central perimeter.

Within a one-mile radius of the property, the average household income is $121,538, the estimated per capita income is $48,540, and 88 percent of jobs are white collar.Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors purchased 3100 River Exchange from AMLI Residential. Financing was arranged by David Pike and Anne McNeil from Wachovia Bank, N.A.
CONTACT: Julia McCartney of Grubb & Ellis Realty Investors, LLC,+1-714-667-8252, ext. 230, julia.mccartney@grubb-ellis.com Web site: http://www.grubb-ellis.com/

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

W Bangkok Hotel Breaks Ground on 400-Room Property


BANGKOK, THAILAND--Top executives of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT), Nakheel Hotels and Golden Land Property Development Plc, recently held the official ground-breaking for the new 400-room W Bangkok. (above photo)

When it opens at the end of 2010, the W Bangkok will be the first centre-city W Hotel in Southeast Asia, and will offer the innovative design and full range of branded amenities that guests have come to expect of W Hotels worldwide.

The property will form a major part of Golden Land’s “Sathorn Square” (top right photo) mixed-use development, which is centred on the historic landmark Russian Embassy complex, located in the prime business district of Sathorn Road. The development will also include a 70,000 square metre Grade A office tower with boutiques and shops.

Last October, Starwood entered into a management agreement with North Sathorn Hotel Company, a joint venture between Nakheel Hotels (previously named Istithmar Hotels FZE) and Golden Land Property Development Plc for this new hotel.

“Bangkok is a perfect fit for W Hotels, appealing to the W brand’s sophisticated travelers with a delectable mix of diverse cultures, world-class shopping and an unsurpassed cuisine experience," commented Neil Palmer, (bottom right photo) Senior Vice President for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.

"Set against the magnificent backdrop of Thailand's thriving cosmopolitan metropolis, W Bangkok will reflect the excitement, energy and sophistication of its surroundings when it opens, and will be known as the influential and innovative lifestyle authority in Bangkok.

“We are confident that Bangkok, with its great location and allure for visitors, will be a great platform to showcase the W brand. Starwood is also proud to continue its contribution towards the growth of Bangkok and Thailand as a key hospitality destination,” added Palmer.

Joe Sita, (top left photo) Chief Executive Officer of Nakheel Hotels, said, “Nakheel Hotels looks for the best partners as we expand operations across the globe and Starwood and Golden Land Property are perfect partners in this venture. Southeast Asia is a strategically important region for Nakheel Hotels and Bangkok is one of our key target markets. The W Bangkok will surely be a star property in our growing global development portfolio.”

William Wilfong, (photo at middle left) CEO of Golden Land Property Development PLC, commented, “We are delighted to bring W to Bangkok, and to be working together with Nakheel and Starwood on this landmark hotel. The W Bangkok will add unique prestige and cachet to our Sathorn Square project, and this property is sure to become a leading choice for business and leisure visitors to Bangkok, with its prime location in the heart of the city’s main business district.”

In addition to the W brand’s signature sleek design and cosmopolitan ambience, the W Bangkok will offer a wide range of superior facilities including almost 30,000 square feet of meeting space, W Kitchen, W Living Room Bar, a specialty restaurant and destination bar, a Sweat Fitness Center, an outdoor pool and a signature spa.

Guests will luxuriate in the signature W bed, outfitted with feather-top mattresses, 350 thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and goose-down comforters. The hotel will also offer the signature W Whatever/Whenever service, the hotel’s 24-hour concierge that can provide whatever guests want - from a pair of running shoes to private jet service - whenever they want it.

CONTACT: Hwee-Peng Yeo Director, Corporate Communications, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Ltd., 9 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Tower 2, #24-02, Singapore 038989. Tel : +65 6335 4837; Cell : +65 9768 6087; +65 9248 0424. Fax : +65 6335 4820
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/;